Hydrofoil deck extension



Feb. 6, 1962 J. DIAMOND HYDROFOIL DECK EXTENSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed July 27, 1960 FIG! INVENTOR JACK DIAMOND BY Y ATTORNEYS Feb. 6, 1962 .1. DIAMOND HYDROFOIL DECK EXTENSION 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed July 27, 1960 R 0 m u m D K 0 M ATTORNEYS 3,019,755 HY DRGFOIL DECK EXTENSION Jack Diamond, 5135 Wissioming Road, Washington, D.C. Filed July 27, 1960, Ser. No. 45,613 Claims. (Cl. 114-665) The present invention relates generally to attachments for boats and more particularly to extensions, particularly for outboard motor boats, which facilitate trolling from or fishing from the rear of such boats, thereby extending the utility of the boats.

As a general rule, outboard motor boats are not particularly suited to trolling, and moreover, they often have relatively little deck space. Additional-1y, such boats are light-weight, in general, and therefore cannot support outboard deck extensions which might be employable as platforms from which fishing or trolling can be carried on.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a hydrofoil supported platform for an outboard motor driven small craft, which can be utilized as a deck extension, and from which trolling can be carried on without interference from the outboard propeller.

The above and still further objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description of one specific embodiment thereof, especially when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a side view of a platform according to the invention, secured to a small outboard motor driven craft;

FIGURE 2 is a rear view of the platform of FIG- URE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a top view of the platform of FIGURES 1 and 2; and

FIGURE 4 is a view in perspective of a hydrofoil employed in the system of FIGURES 1 to 3, inclusive.

Referring now to the accompanying drawings, the reference numeral denotes the stern of a small craft, having an outboard motor 11 mounted thereon in any conventional fashion, as by means of brackets 12.

Bolted to the rear bulkhead 13 of the stern 10 by means of a transverse strap 14 and suitable brackets 15 and bolts 16, are provided a pair of pontoon hydrofoils 17. The latter include hollow and therefore buoyant tanks, shaped to introduce minimum hydrodynamic resistance, and having stabilizer planes 18, the forward edges of which tend to ride out of water when the craft attains sutficient speed. The buoyant tanks therefore provide upward lift both because of their inherent buoyancy and because of hydrofoil or hydroplane action, and the former even while the drive craft is stationary.

A horizontal platform P extends rearwardly of the stern 10 and is provided with suitable railings 19 for safety and with rigid brackets 20, extending between the hydrofoil elements 17 and the rearward underside of the platform to support the latter on the hydrofoils. The forward end of the platform is secured to the rear bulkhead 13 by bolts 21 or in any other convenient fashion.

The drive shaft casing 22 and the propeller 23 of the main craft extend into the water, having a level 24, between the pontoon-hydrofoils 17, a suitable opening 25 being provided in the platform P to accommodate the motor itself and to permit its rotation in order to enable maneuvering of the craft.

At the same time, the platform P is essentially a continuation of the stern 10 so that it is easy to pass from one to the other, and complete safety is assured, for men, women and children, even while the craft is in rapid motion.

The hydrofoils 17 can be so designed that substantially none of the weight of the platform or the people thereon must be borne by the craft itself. The latter need only supply traction, requirement for which is minimized by the streamlined shape of the hydrofoils and by the hydroplane action deriving from the planes 18, and the shapes of the pontoon hulls themselves.

While floating extensions for existing boats, according to the invention, find their greatest utility in connection with outboard motor boats, the utility of the invention is not so limited, but the invention finds untility in conjunction with any small craft capable of providing the required traction.

While I have described and illustrated one specific embodiment of my invention, it will be clear that variations of the details of construction which are specifically illustrated and described may be resorted to without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A small water craft, including an outboard motor driven boat, a rearwardly extending platform secured to said boat, and hydroplane fioats secured in supporting relation to said platform.

2. In combination with a small motor driven craft having a rear bulkhead, a platform, means securing said platform to said rear bulkhead, a pair of laterally separated hydroplane floats trailing said craft, and means for supporting said platform on said hydroplane floats.

3. The combination according to claim 2 wherein said motor is an outboard motor, having a propeller, said propeller subsisting between said hydroplane floats, and means securing said hydroplane floats to said rear bulkhead.

4. The combination according to claim 3 wherein said platform includes an opening for accommodating said outboard motor, said platform forming a rearwardly extending extension of said craft rigidly secured thereto and substantially co-extensive therewith.

5. The craft of claim 1 wherein said floats include a pair of stabilizer planes.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,738,979 Adelmann Dec. 10, 1929 1,784,071 Norman Dec. 9, 1930 1,848,018 Maranville Mar. 1, 1932 1,889,927 MacCallum Dec. 6, 1932 2,212,088 Tomassi Aug. 20, 1940 

